Hyundai Movex signs W72b logistics automation deal with Kumho Tire

Hyundai Movex announced Wednesday that it has signed a 72 billion won ($53 million) logistics automation system supply contract with Kumho Tire, under which it will deliver an advanced intelligent logistics solution to Kumho Tire's new factory in Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province by October 2028. The plant is being built within the Bitgreen National Industrial Complex.

The Hampyeong factory will be developed as a next-generation tire production base spanning roughly 500,000 square meters, with an annual production capacity of 5.3 million tires. The facility is expected to adopt a smart manufacturing and logistics framework through large-scale investment, with phased capacity expansion planned to strengthen production and quality competitiveness, while also contributing to regional economic development and job creation.

For the project, Hyundai Movex will build an integrated automation system that links and controls logistics across the entire manufacturing process — from raw materials through semi-finished and finished products.

The system will connect automated storage and retrieval systems, unmanned transport equipment including AGVs, AMRs and RGVs, and conveyors, with warehouse management and control software such as WMS and WCS.

The company also aims to maximize logistics operational efficiency by incorporating advanced technologies including continuous unmanned inter-process transfer, real-time logistics tracking and management, AI-based cargo volume forecasting, and optimal route control — reducing both process lead times and overall logistics overhead.

A key feature of the project is its one-stop delivery model, covering everything from design and manufacturing to installation and ongoing maintenance. Hyundai Movex plans to draw on more than 30 years of tire-specialized engineering expertise to provide a total smart logistics solution.

The new contract win is expected to add further momentum to the company's global market expansion and earnings improvement.

Hyundai Movex is currently executing an approximately 100 billion won smart logistics construction project as part of a capacity expansion at Hankook Tire & Technology's factory in Tennessee, and is also supplying automation solutions to production sites in Europe, China and Southeast Asia for major domestic and international tire manufacturers.

This year, the company has maintained steady order wins across a broad range of industries beyond tires, including secondary batteries, home appliances, retail, logistics and pharmaceuticals. Its order backlog has exceeded 400 billion won as of September.

"The Kumho Tire Hampyeong factory is a core production base that will drive future manufacturing competitiveness," a Hyundai Movex official said. "We will contribute to improving productivity and quality competitiveness by combining our years of tire smart logistics expertise with advanced intelligent technologies such as AI and robotics."

Meanwhile, Hyundai Movex has been selected as the lead research and development institution for a 2026 shipbuilding and marine industry technology development project, and is participating in a Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation initiative through a bilateral R&D agreement.

Among eight new shipbuilding-related R&D tasks, Hyundai Movex has been designated as the lead agency for a project to develop and demonstrate core autonomous driving transporter technology for carrying ultra-large ship blocks — aimed at transforming the smart ship manufacturing paradigm.